An Indigenous Exchange

Aashukan Podcast

Episode #1: Abel Bosum, Grand Chief of the James Bay Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee and John Paul Murdoch, Cree Lawyer and Corporate Secretary, Grand Council of the Crees, James Bay Cree (Canada)

Abel and John-Paul speak about the importance of the Aashukan program on Cree territory, as well as the Cree’s experience in approaching development. The two speak to David Murphy inside a teepee after they gave an opening address for the Aashukan participants.

In this podcast A.D. speaks passionately about Carib traditional knowledge, and about negative impacts due to development on traditional lands, such as tourism. David and AD spoke overlooking the frozen Rupert River on a sunny spring day in Waskaganish.

Ijeoma speaks about the difficulties the Ikwerre people face in Nigeria, and historic and present-day struggles between the Indigenous group and the government. Ijeoma also gives her take on the Aashukan program and how it might improve impact assessment procedures for the participants.

Niila speaks about the challenges the Saami people in Sweden are going through when it comes to development on reindeer herding land, and what that means for reindeer herders like himself. Niila also performs a poem at the last night of the exchange.

Tumanako speaks about his research into a 2011 oil spill in New Zealand and about a Maori-specific decision making framework in the context of impact assessment. Don’t miss Tumanako and Dr. Kepa Morgan’s ‘Haka’ — a traditional war cry — at the end of this episode.

Cheryl speaks about her role as a director of sustainable development in the Wahnapitae First Nation, her home community. She also talks about the future of impact assessment on Indigenous lands and how Indigenous voices are being included in the process.

Kanako speaks about integrating traditional culture of the Ainu people into the urban Japanese context, as well as what she learned from the Aashukan program. Kanako also sings an Ainu lullaby and plays a traditional instrument at the final night of the exchange.

The former co-chair of the Indigenous People’s Section of the International Association for Impact Assessment speaks about the Mexican Indigenous experience when it comes to impact assessment. She also talks about the need for greater communication and dialogue between government, proponents and Indigenous people.

Towagh speaks about the importance of Indigenous peoples consent in regards to development and the impact assessment process. He also speaks about his experience training community members at Adam’s Lake Indian Band in using a program to map the history, culture and land use of their community, which helps inform environmental assessments.

Dave talks about development that has impacted his community of Adams Lake in the Secwepemc Nation, British Columbia, and his community’s varied experience of impact assessments. Dave also talks about the need for government review of the consultation process, and what he wants to see come out of the exchange.

The three Mongolian delegates speak about the need for a better relationship and more communications amongst proponents, the government and the Indigenous people of Mongolia. You’ll hear a Mongolian song at the end of this podcast, led by Uuganbaatar, sung at the final night of the exchange.

Kleber talks about the strained relationship between the government and development proponents and Indigenous people of Brazil, as well as what he’s taking away form the Aashukan exchange. He also leads a song and dance, performed at the final night of the program.